It appears that they caught the culprit behind the Sasser worm. The intriguing part is that it was the result of a tip from people who were interested in Microsoft's offer of a reward up to $250,000.

Microsoft officials said the tipsters who turned in the suspect were motivated by the prospect of collecting money under a well-publicized reward program that the company announced in November.

Under terms of the program, Microsoft promised to pay as much as $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people responsible for creating computer worms or viruses.

If the suspect is convicted, Smith said, Microsoft will make good on its pledge for the full $250,000.